Epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic features of histoplasmosis: A systematic review.

Histoplasmosis is a mycosis due to a dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This study aimed at providing an overview of histoplasmosis epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects from the last 30 years. This review was carried out using a systematic literature search on histoplasmosis from 1992 to 2021. We describe the clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment. Empirical searches were conducted via the databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct. Between 1992 and 2021, 190 manuscripts were published and reported 212 cases of histoplasmosis. These publications included 115 and 97 cases of American and African histoplasmosis respectively. The number of publications increased over the last ten years with a maximum in 2020 (12.34 % of the cases reported). The disseminated forms of histoplasmosis were the most frequently reported cases as compared to the localized forms. This was the case with the American histoplasmosis (75.65 %) as well as with the African histoplasmosis (55.67 %). Itraconazole (31.17 %) and Amphotericin B (26.62 %) were the most used drugs in the management of these cases. American histoplasmosis is distributed worldwide whereas African histoplasmosis is mainly present in intertropical Africa. There is a critical need for setting up a global surveillance system, towards a better understanding of the disease.

Schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso: review on 60 years' research.

Schistosomiasis is a common neglected helminthic disease in the tropics and sub-tropics particularly in sub-Saharan countries including Burkina Faso. It is the second world parasitic endemic disease after malaria. The two prevalent species infecting human in Burkina Faso are are Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni which cause respectively the urogenital schistosomiasis and the intestinal schistosomiasis. This review aimed at providing an historical perspective of research on schistosomiasis from 1960 to 2020 and shedding some light on the gaps in knowledge useful for the disease control and the elimination efforts in Burkina Faso. Formal systematic review was not followed for this review. Published studies on the schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso over the period from 1960 to 2020, were search in Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and the libraries of main universities in Burkina Faso namely: Joseph KI-ZERBO University and Nazi BONI University. The following key words used were: Schistosomiasis, Bilharzia, Bulinus, Biomphalaria, Upper-Volta and Burkina Faso. Over a period of 60 years, a total of 87 scientific research documents were identified. The original scientific research articles represent the majority of the scientific documents found (65.52%). Urinary schistosomiasis was the most common from the documentation. There has been a gradual decrease in the prevalence, more significantly since the implementation of the National Schistosomiasis Control Program (NSCP). The effectiveness of the NSCP could therefore contribute to the elimination of schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso.

Situation of onchocerciasis transmission in 2020 in the Cascades region of Burkina Faso.

Faced with the focal resurgence of onchocerciasis reported since 2004 in the South-West of Burkina Faso, the Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program adopted a resumption of biannual community-directed treatment with ivermectin, since 2011 in the Cascades region and since 2013 in the South West region. The objective of this study was to assess the situation of onchocerciasis transmission in the Cascades region, nine years after the resumption of mass drug administration. This cross-sectional and descriptive survey concerned people over 5. The traditional method of skin snip on both iliac crests was performed for the parasitological diagnosis of onchocerciasis. The Ov-16 serological test was carried out in children aged 5 to 9 years. In 22 surveyed villages, the overall prevalence of microfilariae was 0.11% and below the tolerable threshold of 5%. It was less than 5% in all the villages (n = 22), less than 1% in 21 villages (99%) and zero in 19 villages (86.36%). The community microfilarial loads varied from 0.01 to 0.05 mf/b. Out of 946 children tested for OV-16, only one 9-year-old was positive and whose skin snip examination was negative. All the positive cases came from endemical areas in Côte d'Ivoire. Population migration is a risk factor for introducing the parasite into Burkina Faso; it also is risk factor for the effective elimination of onchocerciasis which requires the joint development of a control strategy between neighboring countries.

Performances of disk diffusion method for determining triazole susceptibility of Aspergillus species: Systematic review.

The therapeutic management of invasive aspergillosis should be guided by antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST). The disk diffusion (DD) method due to its simplicity and low cost could be an appropriate alternative to the reference methods (CLSI, EUCAST) which are not suitable for AFST in routine clinical microbiology laboratories, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This review summarizes the available data on the performance of the DD method in determining triazole susceptibility profile of Aspergillus species. The published articles on the performance of DD method for determining triazole susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. were systematically searched on major medical databases and Google Scholar. We identified 2725 articles of which 13 met the inclusion criteria. The overall average agreement value obtained between DD and CLSI broth microdilution (CLSI-BMD) methods for the itraconazole 10 µg disk (70.75%) was low especially when the medium used was not Mueller-Hinton (MH) agar. In contrast average agreement for the voriconazole 1 µg disk and the posaconazole 5 µg disk were > 94% regardless of media used. The correlation coefficient values between the DD and CLSI-BMD methods on MH agar were acceptable (≥ 0.71) for the itraconazole 10 µg disk and posaconazole 5 µg disk and good (≥ 0.80) for the voriconazole 1 and 10 µg disk. The reproducibility of the DD method regardless to the medium used was ≥ 82%. This systematic review shows that the disk diffusion method could be a real alternative for triazole antifungals susceptibility testing of Aspergillus spp.

Diagnostic options for pulmonary fungal diseases in Africa.

Background: Fungal lung diseases are global in distribution and require specific tests for diagnosis. We report a survey of diagnostic service provision in Africa. Methods: A written questionnaire was followed by a video conference call with each respondent(s) and external validation. To disseminate the questionnaire, a snowball sample was used. Results: Data were successfully collected from 50 of 51 African countries with populations >1 million. The questionnaire was completed by respondents affiliated with 72 health facilities. Of these 72 respondents, 33 (45.8%) reported data for the whole country while others reported data for a specific region/province within their country. In the public sector, chest X-ray and computed tomography are performed often in 49 countries (98%) and occasionally in 37 countries (74%), and less often in the private sector. Bronchoscopy and spirometry were done often in 28 countries (56%) and occasionally in 18 countries (36%) in the tertiary health facilities of public sector. The most conducted laboratory diagnostic assay was fungal culture (often or occasionally) in 29 countries (58%). In collaboration with the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, regional webinars and individual country profiles provided further data validation. Conclusion: This survey has found a huge disparity of diagnostic test capability across the African continent. Some good examples of good diagnostic provision and very high-quality care were seen, but this was unusual. The unavailability of essential testing such as spirometry was noted, which has a high impact in the diagnosis of lung diseases. It is important for countries to implement tests based on the World Health Organization Essential Diagnostics List.

Coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 variants and influenza virus during the 2019 Coronavirus disease pandemic in Burkina Faso: A surveillance study.

Background and Aim: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) particularly the variants of concern coinfections with influenza is a public health concern in Africa. We aimed to characterize the SARS-CoV-2 variants and determine the rate of coinfections with influenza in Burkina Faso. Methods: COVID-19 surveillance study was conducted between August 2021 and January 2022 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Positive specimens were further screened for SARS-CoV-2 variants using the multiple variants real-time PCR kits. In addition, influenza virus strains were detected by RT-PCR in SARS-CoV-2 positive specimens using the CDC primers, probes, and protocols. Results: Of 324 specimens assessed, the Omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 were the most prevalent with 27.2% [95% confident interval (CI): 22.5-32.4] and 22.2% [95% CI: 17.9-27.2], respectively. The Beta and Gamma variants were detected in 4.3% [95% CI: 2.4-7.1] and 0.3% [95% CI: 0.0-1.7], respectively. Coinfections of Omicron and Beta variants were reported in 21.3% [95% CI: 17.0-26.2], Omicron and Delta variants in 1.2% [95% CI: 0.3-3.1] of specimens, and the Omicron-Gamma variants' coinfections in 0.6% [95% CI: 0.1-2.2]. One COVID-19 specimen with an undetected SARS-CoV-2 variant was also tested positive for the seasonal influenza A (H3N2) virus. No cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, seasonal A/H1N1, and influenza B were detected. Conclusions: The current World Health Organization SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern were prevalent and their coinfections with influenza were uncommon. Continuous surveillance of both pathogens is, however, needed because of their public health implications.

A systematic review of epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, antifungal resistance, and management of invasive aspergillosis in Africa.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) affects more than 300,000 people annually worldwide with a case fatality rate reaching 80%. However, in Africa despite the presence of risk factors for the development of IA, the burden of these fungal infections remained unknown. This systematic review aimed to update the available information on the epidemiology and the therapeutic management of IA in Africa. The published papers were systematically searched on major medical databases from September 20 to October 10, 2021. The list of references of eligible articles and the Google scholar database were also checked in order to search for possible eligible articles. Results were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search yielded 1864 articles of which 29 met the inclusion criteria. This systematic review showed the existence of IA in Africa. The prevalence of IA can reach 27% with a fatality rate of more than 60%. The most common clinical form of IA found was invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The main predisposing conditions identified were neutropenia, HIV/AIDS, renal transplant recipients, and renal failure. Aspergillus section Flavi and Nigri were the main Aspergillus species identified and Aspergillus section Fumigati was uncommon. The main management strategy for IA cases was to start antifungal therapy only after a failure of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. This review provided evidence of the existence of invasive aspergillosis in Africa and especially a high rate of undiagnosed invasive aspergillosis cases.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso).

Pregnant women are the most vulnerable populations exposed to intestinal parasitoses. To develop strategies to fight against these infections, it is essential to carry out regular surveys in order to provide reliable epidemiological data on intestinal parasitoses in at-risk populations. A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out from February to April 2015 in pregnant women seen during the prenatal consultation. The study took place in 3 health centers located in Health District of Dafra at Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. The parasitological examination consisted in carrying out a standard stool parasitological examination and the modified Ziehl Neelsen staining. A total of 315 stool samples were collected and analyzed. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 66.7% [95% CI: 61.1­71.8] with prevalences of 60.9% in Bolomakot., 69.2% in Guimbi and 69.8% in Y.gu.r.sso. Protozoa were the most encountered with of 66.0% prevalence and 1.3% of helminths. The most common protozoa species were Entamoeba coli (36.2%), Giardia lamblia (16.2%), Entamoeba histolytica (14.9%), Cryptosporidium sp. (12.1%) and Trichomonas intestinalis (10.5%). The helminths were represented by Hymenolepis nana (0.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.3%) and Dicrocoelium sp. (0.3%). The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis is very high in pregnant women and dominated by protozoa. Most recently, it has been shown that metronidazole can be administered at all ages of pregnancy at a dosage of 1 g/day for 5 days for the treatment of intestinal protozoa in pregnant women. It would therefore be essential to evaluate this strategy in Burkina Faso by administering metronidazole concomitantly with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine.

Prevalence and factors associated of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among pregnant women in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Epidemiological studies of vaginalis trichomonosis, especially in pregnant women are rare in Africa due to the lack of screening programs. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection and its associated factors in pregnant women who attended the antenatal care clinics in three primary health centers of Bobo-Dioulasso. We carried out a cross-sectional study for descriptive and analytical purposes from February to April 2015 in pregnant women seen in prenatal consultations. The study took place in 3 primary public health centers: Guimbi (Central Urban), Bolomakoté (Peri-urban) and Yéguérésso (rural). The trophozoites of Trichomonas vaginalis was carried out by microscopy on vaginal swabs and urine samples. Sociodemographic, obstetric and biological variables were also collected. A total of 315 pregnant women were included in the study. The overall prevalence of urogenital trichomonosis was 3.2%. It was 1.9% in Guimbi, 2.9% in Bolomakoté, and 4.7% in Yéguérésso. The prevalence of HIV infection was 2.2%. Married women were less exposed to T. vaginalis infection than single women (p=0.03). The prevalence of urogenital trichomonosis obtained was considered lower compared to the previously reported from Burkina Faso. Thus, it is essential to extend this study to the whole country periodically by integrating other STIs not subject to a surveillance system and by integrating molecular epidemiology tools.

[Biodiversity of isolated fungal flora at the reanimation service of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso]. / Biodiversité de la flore fongique isolée au service de réanimation du Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Souro Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

INTRODUCTION: nosocomial diseases are a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa particularly in Burkina Faso. The purpose of this study was to determine the biodiversity of the fungal flora identified at the reanimation service of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso. METHODS: we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from August 2016 to January 2017. The purpose of the study was to investigate the fungal flora in the ambient air and in the reanimation environment. Samples were seeded and incubated for 3-4 days at 37°C in the oven. The identification of colonies of filamentous fungi was macroscopic and microscopic. Blastesis test, chromogenic medium and latex agglutination test were used to identify Candida species. RESULTS: out of 200 samples collected, 176 grew in Sabouraud-Chloramphenicol agar. The overall prevalence of fungal flora was 88% (176/200). Molds were the most common fungal agents found (66.9%). Among the eight types of mold identified, Aspergillus was the most common family (48.9%) while Aspergillus fumigatus was the most detected species (32.9%). CONCLUSION: regular decontamination of fungal niches should be systematic at the reanimation service of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso.

First Investigative Study of Azole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in the Environment in Burkina Faso.

Azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (ARAF) strains have been reported on all continents, however, limited data exist on these strains in Africa, while several factors, mainly environmental ones, suggest their presence on this continent. This study aimed to assess the environmental prevalence of ARAF strains in Burkina Faso, a country situated in the West African region where data on ARAF is non-existent. In total, 120 environmental samples (soil) were collected and analyzed. Samples were screened for resistance using three azole-containing agar plates; one without azole antifungal (growth control) and two supplemented with either itraconazole (4 mg/L) or voriconazole (2 mg/L). The EUCAST susceptibility testing method was used to confirm the azole-resistant phenotype of A. fumigatus sensu-stricto isolates. Mutations in the cyp51A gene were determined by sequencing. Of the 120 samples, 51 positive samples showed growth of A. fumigatus isolates on control medium. One ARAF (2%; 1/51) isolate was found amongst A. fumigatus positive samples and harbored the F46Y/M172V/E427K cyp51A mutations. No TR34/L98H or TR46/Y121F/T289A mutations were observed. Our study described the first A. fumigatus isolate resistant to an azole antifungal in Burkina Faso.

Mastomys natalensis, Cricetomys gambianus and Taterillus sp. were found PCR positive for Leishmania major in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, was recognized as a focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniosis in April 2000. Leishmania major was the only strain isolated in this focus. We conducted a prospective study to detect L. major in rodents, animals which are described as reservoir of the parasite. Rodents were caught in five city areas from November 2005 to October 2006. Giemsa stained smears were realized from the cutaneous lesions when present after macroscopic examination of external lesions. The spleen of each rodent was sterilely removed and split into 3 parts for microscopic examination of smears, culture on NNN media and PCR, respectively. A total of 101 rodents belonging to 9 genera were trapped. All the direct examinations and cultures were negative. By using PCR of lesions and spleen samples, three animals were found infected by L. major: one out of 24 (4.2%) Mastomys natalensis; one out of 8 (12.5%) Taterillus sp. and one out of three Cricetomys gambianus. This is the first detection of L. major in rodent species in Burkina Faso. Further studies are needed to confirm their role as reservoirs of L. major.

First case report of Talaromyces marneffei infection in HIV-infected patient in the city of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

Talaromycosis is endemic in Southeast Asia and is commonly described in HIV-infected patients. We describe the first case of Talaromycosis in HIV-infected patient in Burkina Faso. This is an 83-year-old man with skin lesions on the right foot. The thick scales were used for the mycological examination. Microscopic examination of growth allowed isolation of Talaromyces marneffei in its yeast and mold forms. The patient was treated successfully with Itraconazole (400 mg/day) for 8 weeks.

Genotype Analysis of Clinical Candida albicans Isolates Using PCRs Targeting 25S rDNA and ALT Repeat Sequences of the RPS and Antifungal Susceptibility in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

OBJECTIVE: Candida albicans is a yeast with multiple genotypes. It's a commensal fungus colonizing various sites. However, when the host's immune system weakens, it becomes pathogenic and is responsible for various lesions. In Burkina Faso, antifungal drugs are frequently used, particularly fluconazole, the most used systemic antifungal. This antifungal drug and other antifungal drugs are often used for self-medication or prescribed outside of antifungal susceptibility test results. These situations led to the emergence of Candida albicans strains resistant to antifungal drugs commonly used in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study was to determine the types of Candida albicans using PCRs targeting 25S rDNA and ALT repeat sequences of the RPS and to establish their azoles and polyenes susceptibility profile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Antifungal susceptibility testing by disk diffusion method was performed in accordance with CLSI document M44-A for yeasts and the manufacturer's instructions. Candida albicans isolates were genotyped using specific PCR primers of the rDNA and RPS genes. RESULTS: Ten (10) RPS types of Candida albicans were found in our study: The most common RPS types are A3 (40.6%), A2 (24.0%) and A2/3 (14.6%) for genotype A, B2/3 (5.2%) for genotype B and C2 (3.2%) for genotype C. The Azole resistance, especially fluconazole (74.4%), was the most common with genotype A, including A3 (36.6%), A2 (18. 3%). Polyene resistance was rare with nystatin, only A3 (1.2%) resistant isolate to nystatin was observed. For amphotericin B, the highest observed resistance rates were A3 (11.0%) and A2/3 (8.5%) for the genotype A and B2 (10.0%), B3 (10.0%) and B2/3 (10.0%) for genotype B. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that Candida albicans resistance to azoles, especially to fluconazole, is an important phenomenon in Ouagadougou, and several genotypes RPS types are involved. Thus, fluconazole would not be an antifungal agent for first-line prescribing for treatment of candidiasis in Ouagadougou. This study will be continued to determine the molecular mechanisms involved in these antifungal resistances, for further research of new molecules with different action targets.

Prévalence de la dengue et du paludisme chez les patients fébriles au CHU Souro Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso

Paludisme et dengue sont des affections à forte morbidité. Les patients présentent souvent les mêmes profils cliniques. Il est difficile, voire impossible de les différencier sans recours à une confirmation biologique. Ceci justifie notre étude dont l'objectif était d'évaluer la prévalence de la dengue et du paludisme chez les patients fébriles consultant au CHUSS de Bobo-Dioulasso au Burkina Faso. Une étude transversale descriptive prospective a été conduite durant le mois d'août 2016 incluant les patients fébriles au CHU-SS de Bobo-Dioulasso. La recherche d'IgM et d'IgG anti Dengue Virus (DENV) a été faite avec le SD BIOLINE IgG/IgM sur 4mL de sang veineux. Le diagnostic de paludisme a été posé par un examen microscopique après coloration au Giemsa d'une goutte épaisse de sang capillaire.Au total 85 patients inclus, 44 hommes, une sex-ratio H/F de 1,07. Les enfants de 0 à 10 ans étaient majoritaires (34,11%). La prévalence des IgM et des IgG anti DENV était de 7,06% et de 22,35% respectivement. Quatre patients étaient porteurs concomitants d'IgM et d'IgG anti DENV. La prévalence du paludisme était de 20%. Pas de co-infection dengue et paludisme. Nos résultats indiquent la circulation de la dengue et du paludisme chez les patients fébriles au CHU de Bobo-Dioulasso. La dengue étant une affection à potentiel épidémique, elle ne doit pas être méconnue chez les patients fébriles

Prévalence de la dengue et du paludisme chez les patients fébriles au CHU Souro Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso

Paludisme et dengue sont des affections à forte morbidité. Les patients présentent souvent les mêmes profils cliniques. Il est difficile, voire impossible de les différencier sans recours à une confirmation biologique. Ceci justifie notre étude dont l'objectif était d'évaluer la prévalence de la dengue et du paludisme chez les patients fébriles consultant au CHUSS de Bobo-Dioulasso au Burkina Faso. Une étude transversale descriptive prospective a été conduite durant le mois d'août 2016 incluant les patients fébriles au CHU-SS de Bobo-Dioulasso. La recherche d'IgM et d'IgG anti Dengue Virus (DENV) a été faite avec le SD BIOLINE IgG/IgM sur 4mL de sang veineux. Le diagnostic de paludisme a été posé par un examen microscopique après coloration au Giemsa d'une goutte épaisse de sang capillaire. Au total 85 patients inclus, 44 hommes, une sex-ratio H/F de 1,07. Les enfants de 0 à 10 ans étaient majoritaires (34,11%). La prévalence des IgM et des IgG anti DENV était de 7,06% et de 22,35% respectivement. Quatre patients étaient porteurs concomitants d'IgM et d'IgG anti DENV. La prévalence du paludisme était de 20%. Pas de co-infection dengue et paludisme. Nos résultats indiquent la circulation de la dengue et du paludisme chez les patients fébriles au CHU de Bobo-Dioulasso. La dengue étant une affection à potentiel épidémique, elle ne doit pas être méconnue chez les patients fébriles

Burden of Severe Fungal Infections in Burkina Faso.

Because of the limited access to more powerful diagnostic tools, there is a paucity of data regarding the burden of fungal infections in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and prevalence of serious fungal infections in this sub-Saharan country. We primarily used the national demographic data and performed a PubMed search to retrieve all published papers on fungal infections from Burkina Faso and its surrounding West African countries. Considering the prevalence of HIV infection (0.8% of the population) and a 3.4% incidence of cryptococcosis in hospitals, it is estimated that 459 patients per year develop cryptococcosis. For pneumocystosis, it is suggested that 1013 new cases occur every year. Taking into account the local TB frequency (population prevalence at 0.052%), we estimate the prevalence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis at 1120 cases. Severe forms of asthma with fungal sensitization and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are estimated to affect 7429 and 5628 cases, respectively. Vulvovaginal candidiasis may affect 179,000 women, and almost 1,000,000 children may suffer from tinea capitis. Globally, we estimate that roughly 1.4 million people in Burkina Faso (7.51% of the population) suffer from a serious fungal infection. These data should be used to drive future epidemiological studies, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies.

Impact of alternative treatment approach for cerebral toxoplasmosis among HIV/AIDS patients from a resource-poor setting in Burkina Faso

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii because of reactivation of latent tissue cysts in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients with severe immunosuppression. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefit of co-trimoxazole in presumptive and prevention of cerebral toxoplasmosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS patients at Bobo-Dioulasso Hospital in Burkina Faso from June 2012 to October 2014. ELISA and ELFA were performed on serum for the quantitative determination of IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii, respectively. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 29.3%. No IgM antibodies for T. gondii were found. Six patients with Toxoplasma-specific antibodies presented cerebral toxoplasmosis. All patients were infected by HIV-1 with the median of CD4+ T lymphocytes at 141 cells/µl. No patient was under antiretroviral therapy. No case of cerebral toxoplasmosis was noted in patients receiving co-trimoxazole in prevention. Presumptive treatment of cerebral toxoplasmosis with co-trimoxazole was effective in all patients with a significant clinical improvement in 83.3%. These results attest the benefit of cotrimoxazole in cerebral toxoplasmosis treatment in countries where drug resources are limited when sulfadiazine is not available. Ours finding highlight the importance of establishing toxoplasmosis chemoprophylaxis to HIV with severe immunosuppression patients and positive Toxoplasma serology.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women from Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is one of the common worldwide parasitic zoonosis due to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can result in fetal and neonatal death or various congenital defects. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in pregnant women following antenatal care (ANC) services at Bobo Dioulasso. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted enrolling a sample of 316 pregnant women attending ANC at centers for maternal and child health of Bobo-Dioulasso town from March 2013 to February 2014. Data on socio-demographic and potential risk factors were collected from each study participant using structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Moreover, venous blood specimens were collected and tested for IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzyme linked fluorescent assay, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to identify the potential predictor variables for T. gondii infection. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence for T. gondii infection was 31.1% (98/316). All the pregnant women were positive for IgG anti-bodies exclusively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that having at least a secondary education level (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: [1.04-4.63]); being urban resident (AOR = 2.81; 95% CI: [1.24-6.86]) and the consumption of meat combination (pork + beef + mutton + wild meat + poultry) (AOR = 4.00; 95% CI: [1.06-15.24]) were potential risk factors of T. gondii infection. CONCLUSION: Toxoplasmosis is frequent in pregnant women and studies that show incidence of T. gondii among the neonates have to be done to introduce routine antenatal screening program to control congenital toxoplasmosis. There is the need for preventive measures such as education of pregnant women about the transmission routes and prevention methods of toxoplasmosis at ANC clinics.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women, in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

BACKGROUND: Because infections with Schistosoma Haematobium usually peak in childhood, the majority of studies on schistosomiasis have focused on school-aged children. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women in Burkina Faso, West Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a mesoendemic region (Kombissiri) and a hyperendemic region (Dori) for schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso. A total of 287 females aged 5 to 50 years were included in the study. S. haematobium infection was assessed using the urine filtration method and dipsticks were used for the detection of hematuria. Interviews were conducted to identify clinical aspects and risk factors related to urogenital schistosomiasis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection in Dori was 21.3 %, where as Kombissiri was less affected with a prevalence of 4.6 %. The most affected age group was the 10- to 14-year-olds (41.2 %), followed by the 15- to 19-year-olds (26.3 %). Risk factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis (P <0.05) were place of residence, age, contact with open water in the past year, and distance of home to open water. The percentage of participants who had contact with open water was significantly higher among the women living in Dori compared to Kombissiri. Females over 15 years of age showed a significant higher rate of water contact compared to the 5- to 15-year-olds. A significant correlation between schistosomiasis and hematuria was established. Microhematuria showed a sensitivity of 80.6 %, a specificity of 92.7 %, and a positive predictive value of 61.7 %, whereas macrohematuria had a sensitivity of 47.2 %, a specificity of 99.2 %, and a positive predictive value of 89.5 %. The mass distribution of praziquantel in Burkina Faso is well established. However, over half of the participants with schistosomiasis in this study said they took praziquantel in the past 6 months, which indicates a high reinfection rate. This may be associated with a lack of knowledge about the transmission of schistosomiasis. Only 6 % of the participants in Kombissiri and 1.5 % in Dori knew about the correct mode of transmission. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that distribution campaigns should be extended from school-aged children to young women. Our data also demonstrate the necessity of combining already established mass distribution campaigns with information campaigns, so that long-term elimination, or at least reduction, of schistosomiasis can be achieved.